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About NUI Galway

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Contact Details

Biography

Caroline McGregor is Professor at the School of Political Science and Sociology with lead responsibility for the discipline of social work. She is Director of the Masters in Social Work Programme and teaches a range of subjects including social work with vulnerable children and families, childhood and Children's rights, Law and Human rights and cultural competence in social work She is also a Senior Research Fellow at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. Formerly Dr Caroline Skehill from Queen's University, Her current project work is focused on: outcomes for young people leaving care, public awareness of child protection and welfare, family support services and policy and the interface between child protection and family support practices in child welfare. She has a Marie Curie Incoming Fellowship Award with Professor Robert Chaskin, University of Chicago which involves research relating to civic and political engagement of urban youth in Dublin, Belfast and London. Other research interests include the history of social work and child protection in Ireland and Europe, . Caroline also has experience of research and publication in relation to child protection practice and policy; history of the present methodologies, socio-legal studies and young people in and leaving care.

Research Interests

Current research interests include:Child and Family policy in Ireland including child protection and welfare, family support and community services, public awareness of child welfare services.Child Protection and Welfare Social Work as a Socio-Legal PracticeYoung People In and Leaving care; mentoring and youth support Cultural Competence in Social work. Public awareness of child protection and welfare services, Outcomes for permanence for children in care, critical social theory and practice connections. Histories to inform the present in Ireland and Europe - methodology and empirical studies. Political And Civic Engagement of Marginalised Young People (Marie Curie Project)Research impact within context of the Ecological Model (CURAM SFI Project)

Peer Reviewed Journals

Year

Publication

(2017)

'‘An informed pedagogy of community, care and respect for diversity: evidence from a qualitative evaluation of early years’ services in the West of Ireland’'
Garrity, S., Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2017) '‘An informed pedagogy of community, care and respect for diversity: evidence from a qualitative evaluation of early years’ services in the West of Ireland’'. Child Care In Practice, [DOI] [Details]

(2017)

''‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: a qualitative study of stressors, informal social support and parental coping in a Direct Provision centre in the West of Ireland’''
Moran, L., Garrity, S., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2017) ''‘Hoping for a better tomorrow’: a qualitative study of stressors, informal social support and parental coping in a Direct Provision centre in the West of Ireland’''. Journal Of Family Issues, [DOI] [Details]

(2016)

'Garrity, S., Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) ‘An informed pedagogy of community, care and respect for diversity: evidence from a qualitative evaluation of early years’ services in the West of Ireland’ Child care in practice (submitted for publication July 2016)'
Garrity, S., Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) (2016) 'Garrity, S., Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) ‘An informed pedagogy of community, care and respect for diversity: evidence from a qualitative evaluation of early years’ services in the West of Ireland’ Child care in practice (submitted for publication July 2016)'. Child Care In Practice, [Details]

'Child protection and family support practice in Ireland: A contribution to present debates from a historical perspective'
Devaney C & McGregor C (2016) 'Child protection and family support practice in Ireland: A contribution to present debates from a historical perspective'. Child And Family Social Work, [DOI] [Details]

(2016)

'Disabled children and child protection: Learning from literature through a non-tragedy lens'
Flynn S & McGregor C (2016) 'Disabled children and child protection: Learning from literature through a non-tragedy lens'. Child Care In Practice, [Details]

(2015)

'History as a Resource for the Future: A Response to 'Best of times, worst of times: Social work and its moment''
McGregor, C (2015) 'History as a Resource for the Future: A Response to 'Best of times, worst of times: Social work and its moment''. British Journal Of Social Work, 45 :1630-1644 [DOI] [Details]

(2015)

''A Review of Children First and Keeping Safe Training in Ireland: Implications for the Future''
Devaney C & McGregor C (2015) ''A Review of Children First and Keeping Safe Training in Ireland: Implications for the Future''. Child Care In Practice, [DOI] [Details]

(2014)

'Transforming European welfare policies, social work and social care practices: a special issue from the Third European Conference for Social Work Research'
Satka M, McGregor C & Chambon, A (2014) 'Transforming European welfare policies, social work and social care practices: a special issue from the Third European Conference for Social Work Research'. European Journal Of Social Work, 15 (5):611-783 [Details]

(2014)

'Why is history important at moments of transition? The case of 'transformation' of Irish child welfare via the new Child and Family Agency'
McGregor, C (2014) 'Why is history important at moments of transition? The case of 'transformation' of Irish child welfare via the new Child and Family Agency'. European Journal Of Social Work, 17 :771-783 [DOI] [Details]

(2013)

'Exploring Innovative Methodologies in Time and Place to Analyse Child Protection Documents as Elements of Practice'
Skehill C, Satka M & Hoikkala S (2013) 'Exploring Innovative Methodologies in Time and Place to Analyse Child Protection Documents as Elements of Practice'. Qualitative Social Work, 12 (1):57-72 [Details]

'History of Child Welfare and Protection Social Work in Northern Ireland: Finding Continuity amongst Discontinuity in Case Files from 1950-1968'
Skehil C (2010) 'History of Child Welfare and Protection Social Work in Northern Ireland: Finding Continuity amongst Discontinuity in Case Files from 1950-1968'. Child Care In Practice, 16 (4):309-326 [Details]

(2008)

'Editorial: Looking Back While moving Forward'
Skehill C. (2008) 'Editorial: Looking Back While moving Forward'. British Journal Of Social Work, 38 (4) [Details]

(2008)

'Increasing Staff & Student capacity to use the communication facility in Queens on Line in order to support learning and teaching on a BSW programme'
Greig M & Skehill C (2008) 'Increasing Staff & Student capacity to use the communication facility in Queens on Line in order to support learning and teaching on a BSW programme'. Social Work Education, [Details]

(2007)

'Researching the history of social work: Exposition of a history of the present approach’'
Skehill C (2007) 'Researching the history of social work: Exposition of a history of the present approach’'. European Journal Of Social Work, 10 (4):449-463 [Details]

(2005)

'Prying open the space for social work in the new millennium: four theoretical perspectives on transformative practice'
Houston S, Skehill C, Pinkerton J & Campbell J (2005) 'Prying open the space for social work in the new millennium: four theoretical perspectives on transformative practice'. Social Work And Social Sciences Review, 12 (1):35-52 [Details]

(2003)

'Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in Northern Ireland and the Republic: Commonalities, Divergences and Possibilities'
Skehill C (2003) 'Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in Northern Ireland and the Republic: Commonalities, Divergences and Possibilities'. Child Care In Practice, 9 (4):266-281 [Details]

(2003)

'Using a peer action learning approach in the implementation of information and communication technology in social work education'
Skehill C (2003) 'Using a peer action learning approach in the implementation of information and communication technology in social work education'. Social Work Education, [Details]

(2003)

''Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: A History of the Present''
Skehill C (2003) ''Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: A History of the Present''. Journal Of Social Work, 3 (2) [Details]

(2000)

'Notes on the history of Social work: An examination of the transition from philanthropy to professional social work in Ireland'
Skehill C (2000) 'Notes on the history of Social work: An examination of the transition from philanthropy to professional social work in Ireland'. Research on Social Work Practice, 10 (6):688-704 [Details]

(1999)

''Reflexive Modernity and Social Work in Ireland: A Response to Powell''
Skehill C (1999) ''Reflexive Modernity and Social Work in Ireland: A Response to Powell''. British Journal Of Social Work, 29 :797-809 [Details]

Books

Year

Publication

(2004)

History of the Present of Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in Ireland.
Skehill C (2004) History of the Present of Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in Ireland. Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press.
[Details]

(1999)

The Nature of Social Work in Ireland, A Historical Perspective.
Skehill C (1999) The Nature of Social Work in Ireland, A Historical Perspective. Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press.
[Details]

Book Chapters

Year

Publication

(2017)

'Youth Mentoring as a form of support for children and young people at risk: Insights from research and practice'
McGregor, C., Lynch, M., Brady, B (2017) 'Youth Mentoring as a form of support for children and young people at risk: Insights from research and practice' In: The Routledge Handbook of International Child Welfare. London: Routledge. [Details]

'The Origins of Child Welfare Under the Poor Law and the Emergence of the Institutional versus Family Care Debate'
Skehill C (2011) 'The Origins of Child Welfare Under the Poor Law and the Emergence of the Institutional versus Family Care Debate' In: Poverty and Welfare in Ireland 1838-1948. Dublin: Irish Academic Press.
[Details]

'Women and the History of Social Work in the Early to Mid-20th Century in the Republic of Ireland: An Exploration of the Care-Control Dilemma'
Skehill C (2008) 'Women and the History of Social Work in the Early to Mid-20th Century in the Republic of Ireland: An Exploration of the Care-Control Dilemma' In: Dual Mandate: Care and Control in the History of Social Work. Oplanden, Germany: Bundrich.
[Details]

(2008)

'Socio-legal Practices in Child Welfare and Protection in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: Histories of the Present and Possibilities for the Future'
Skehill C (2008) 'Socio-legal Practices in Child Welfare and Protection in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: Histories of the Present and Possibilities for the Future' In: Child Protection and Welfare Social Work: A Changing Profession in a Changing Ireland. Dublin: A & A Farmer.
[Details]

(2005)

''Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: Continuities and Discontinuities between the Past and the Present''
Skehill C (2005) ''Child Protection and Welfare Social Work in the Republic of Ireland: Continuities and Discontinuities between the Past and the Present'' In: Social Work in Ireland, Historical Perspectives. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration.
[Details]

(2003)

''The Development of Child Welfare Services in the Republic of Ireland 1900-1950'
Skehill C (2003) ''The Development of Child Welfare Services in the Republic of Ireland 1900-1950' In: Gender and the History of Social Work in Europe. Oplanden, Germany: Bundrick.
[Details]

Published Reports

Year

Publication

(2017)

Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care.
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2017) Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. [Details]

(2017)

Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care: Practice Guidance.
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2017) Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care: Practice Guidance. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. [ARAN Link] [Details]

(2016)

Scoping Review of International and Irish Literature on Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care.
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) Scoping Review of International and Irish Literature on Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. [Details]

(2017)

Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care: Appendices.
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2017) Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-term Care: Appendices. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. [Details]

(2016)

Public Awareness of Parenting, Prevention and Family Support Services: Population Baseline Survey Report 2016.
Caroline McGregor and Saoirse Nic Gabhainn (2016) Public Awareness of Parenting, Prevention and Family Support Services: Population Baseline Survey Report 2016. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, galway. [Details]

(2016)

Early Implementation of Meitheal and the Child and Family Support Networks: Lessons from the field.
Cassidy, A., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Early Implementation of Meitheal and the Child and Family Support Networks: Lessons from the field. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, Galway. [ARAN Link] [Details]

(2016)

) Scoping review of Irish and international literature on outcomes for permanence and stability for children in care.
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) ) Scoping review of Irish and international literature on outcomes for permanence and stability for children in care. Tusla, Dublin. [Details]

Edited Books

Year

Publication

(2005)

Social Work in Ireland, Historical Perspectives.
Kearney N & Skehill C (Ed.). (2005) Social Work in Ireland, Historical Perspectives Social Work in Ireland, Historical Perspectives. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]

Other Journals

Year

Publication

(2014)

'The Child and Family Agency 2014: Initial Views and Experiences of Social Work and Social Care Practitioners'
Caroline McGregor (2014) 'The Child and Family Agency 2014: Initial Views and Experiences of Social Work and Social Care Practitioners' Irish Social Worker, Spring 2014 . [Details]

Which Path Ahead?Perspectives on Policy from Irish Social Science,
L Moran S Garrity, C McGregor C Devaney (2016) ‘Hoping for a better tomorrow: a qualitative study of stressors, informal social support and parental coping in a Direct Provision centre in the West of Ireland’. [Invited Lecture], Which Path Ahead?Perspectives on Policy from Irish Social Science, Dublin , 11-MAY-16 - 11-MAY-16.
[Details]

(2017)

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre Biennial Conference,
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2017) Mapping the role of empathy in social work practice: evidence from a qualitative, biographical study of children in care in Counties Donegal and Galway. [Oral Presentation], UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre Biennial Conference, NUI Galway , 08-JUN-17 - 09-JUN-17.
[Details]

‘Hoping for a better Tomorrow’: Family Support through community childcare provision in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Community childcare in rural Ireland; family support principles and practice. [Invited Oral Presentation], ‘Hoping for a better Tomorrow’: Family Support through community childcare provision in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo, European Early Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference, Dublin, August 2016) .
[Details]

Reimaging Adoption as a Viable Care Option in Ireland,
McGregor, C. and Moran, L. Poster presentation on Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Care project. [Poster Presentation (Refereed)], Reimaging Adoption as a Viable Care Option in Ireland, School of Applied Social Studies UCC .
[Details]

Galway School 2015 Children's Rights in Practice and Research,
McGregor, C. and Moran, L. Poster presented on outcomes for permanence and stability for children in care study at major conference on children's rights, co-organised by UCFRC, Eurochild and UNESCO. [Poster Presentation], Galway School 2015 Children's Rights in Practice and Research, Institute for Lifecourse and Society NUI Galway .
[Details]

European Early Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference,,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Community childcare in rural Ireland; family support principles and practice (2016) Hoping for a better Tomorrow’: Family Support through community childcare provision in Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo,. [Oral Presentation], European Early Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference,, Dublin , 31-AUG-16 - 03-SEP-16.
[Details]

(2016)

Hoping for a better tomorrow’: Narratives of Coping, Resilience and Family Support arising from a study of Early Years services and the experience of parents, including those resident in Direct Provis,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) (2016) Irish Social Sciences Platform and the National Economic & Social Council, Dublin. [Oral Presentation], Hoping for a better tomorrow’: Narratives of Coping, Resilience and Family Support arising from a study of Early Years services and the experience of parents, including those resident in Direct Provis, Dublin , 08-JUN-16 - 08-JUN-16.
[Details]

(2016)

‘Mapping Children’s Narratives of Permanence and Stability: Evidence from a Mixed-Method Study of Children in Long-Term Care in Ireland’,
Moran, L., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) (2016) This paper draws on BNIM, qualitative findings from a study of children in care in Ireland (2008-2013) and the importance of understanding children's voices and storylines about their lives in care. [Oral Presentation], ‘Mapping Children’s Narratives of Permanence and Stability: Evidence from a Mixed-Method Study of Children in Long-Term Care in Ireland’, ISPCAN Calgary Canada , 28-AUG-16.
[Details]

(2016)

Child poverty in times of crisis conference,
Moran, L., Garrity, S., McGregor, C. and Devaney, C. (2016) 'Hoping for a better tomorrow: narratives of coping, resilience and identity among parents in a Direct Provision centre in the west of Ireland'. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Child poverty in times of crisis conference, Centre for Ethics and Poverty Research, University of Salzburg , 25-AUG-16 - 26-AUG-16.
[Details]

(2016)

Mapping Children’s Narratives of Permanence and Stability in Ireland’ A Mixed Method Study of Outcomes for Children in Care 2008-2013,
Moran, L. and McGregor, C. (2016) This paper focuses on a mixed method study of outcomes for permanence and stability for children in care in Ireland (2008-2013) and assesses ontological tensions around evidence in policy and the input of narrative research into policies on vulnerable youth. [Oral Presentation], Mapping Children’s Narratives of Permanence and Stability in Ireland’ A Mixed Method Study of Outcomes for Children in Care 2008-2013, European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA) Conference Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon , 01-APR-16.
[Details]

(2016)

Ethics and Social Welfare in Hard Times,
Garrity, S., Moran, L., Devaney, C. and McGregor, C. (2016) Practicing Politics in Preschool: Disrupting State policy through Ethical Practice in an Early Years Setting in the West of Ireland. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Ethics and Social Welfare in Hard Times, London: Journal of Ethics and Social Welfare , 01-SEP-16 - 02-SEP-16.
[Details]

European Social Work Research Conference,
McGregor C (2015) 'Some thoughts on how to maximise the potential for history of child welfare to critically inform present transformations in child welfare'. [Chaired Session], European Social Work Research Conference, Llujbliana, Slovenia , 20-APR-15 - 24-APR-15.
[Details]

Third European Social Work Research Conference,
McGregor, C (2013) 'Transforming Welfare Policies and Practices:. [Conference Paper], Third European Social Work Research Conference, Jyvskyla, finland , 20-MAR-13 - 22-MAR-14.
[Details]

Conference on 40 Years of Irish Association of Social Workers,
Skehill C (2011) ‘History as Resource for the Future’ 40 Years of IASW Celebration. [Invited Lecture], Conference on 40 Years of Irish Association of Social Workers, Dublin , 02-JUN-11 - 02-JUN-11.
[Details]

(2009)

First Meeting of the Social Work History Network UK in Northern Ireland,
Kelly G & Skehill C (2009) History of Child Welfare and Protection in Northern Ireland’. [Conference Paper], First Meeting of the Social Work History Network UK in Northern Ireland, Belfast , 27-MAY-09 - 27-MAY-09.
[Details]

QUB School of History Conference Sponsored by ESRC and Royal Historical Society,
Skehill, C (2009) Poverty and Welfare in Ireland: Children in the Workhouses: The Origins of Child Welfare within the Poor Law. [Chaired Session], QUB School of History Conference Sponsored by ESRC and Royal Historical Society, Belfast , 26-JUN-09 - 27-JUN-09.
[Details]

Second Conference of the Network for Historical Studies of Gender and Social Work,
Skehill C (2002) Challenges for Women in Social Work in a Patriarchal Society. [Chaired Session], Second Conference of the Network for Historical Studies of Gender and Social Work, St Gallan, Switzerland , 18-OCT-02 - 20-OCT-02.
[Details]

(2001)

First Conference of the Network for Historical Studies of Gender and Social Work,
Skehill C (2001) Using Archival Research in Historical Analysis: A Case Study: The Development of Child Welfare Services in the Republic of Ireland 1900-1950. [Invited Paper], First Conference of the Network for Historical Studies of Gender and Social Work, Mainz, Germany , 20-SEP-01 - 22-SEP-01.
[Details]

Book Review

Editorial

Year

Publication

(2014)

Transforming European welfare policies, social work and social care practices: a special issue from the Third European Conference for Social Work Research.
Satka, M,McGregor, C,Chambon, A (2014) Transforming European welfare policies, social work and social care practices: a special issue from the Third European Conference for Social Work Research. Editorial [DOI] [Details]

Electronic Publication

Year

Publication

(2010)

History of Social Work in the Republic of Ireland.
Skehill C (2010) History of Social Work in the Republic of Ireland. Oxford: Electronic Publication [Details]

History of Social Work in Northern Ireland.
Skehill C (2010) History of Social Work in Northern Ireland. Oxford: Electronic Publication [Details]

(2010)

History of social work in the UK.
Skehill C (2010) History of social work in the UK. Oxford: Electronic Publication [Details]

Professional Associations

Association

Function

From / To

Irish Association of Social Work

Member

/

Children's Research Network

Member

/

Education

Year

Institution

Qualification

Subject

2000

Trinity College Dublin

PhD

Child Protection Social Work

2000

Queen's University Belfast

Postgraduate Diploma

Higher Education

1988

Trinity College Dublin

Bachelor of Social Studies

Slocial Work

Community Engagement

Title

Type

From / To

Teaching (e.g. Service learning / comunity based learning)

Joint Training Programme NUI Galway and TUSLA Galway

04-JAN-13 / 30-JUN-16

Outreach

SCUT services for Young People Leaving care in Romania

23-MAY-01 / 23-SEP-13

Research (e.g. Community based research)

CKI Project with MA in Social Work Programme

24-JAN-14 / 24-JAN-14

Reviews

Journal

Role

British Journal Of Social Work

Reviewer

British Journal Of Social Work

Editor

Child Care In Practice

Reviewer

European Journal Of Social Work

Editor

Journal Of Social Work

Reviewer

Teaching Interests

Teaching Interests Include: child protection and welfare social work;Childhood and Children's Rights children in and leaving care; critical social work perspectives; international/European perspectives; cultural competence; history of social work, Research practice and social work. Human Rights and Social Work.

Recent Postgraduate Students

Graduation

Name

Degree

Primary Supervisor

2012

Edwards, Delyth

PhD

N

2013

Fergal Landy

PhD

N

2013

Teresa O¿ Connor

PhD

N

2010

Gabriela Dima

PhD

N

Feely, Michael

PhD

N

2012

Dalekini (Peta) Coletta

PhD

N

2013

Joseph Mooney

PhD

N

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

Student

Degree Type

Type

Melissa Bonotto

Doctorate - Ph.D. (Child and Youth Research)

Co-supervisor (1)

Patricia O Connor

Doctorate - Ph.D. (Child and Youth Research)

Supervisor

Joseph Mooney

Doctorate - Ph.D. (Child and Youth Research)

Supervisor

Brendan Dolan

Doctorate - Structured Ph.D. in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Supervisor

Caroline Duignan

Doctorate - Ph.D. (Child and Youth Research)

Co-supervisor (1)

Susan Flynn

Doctorate - Ph.D.(Arts)

Supervisor

Theresa O Connor

Doctorate - Ph.D. (Child and Youth Research)

Supervisor

Modules Taught

Term/Year

Module Title

Module Code

Subject / Desc

2015/6

Dissertation

SP612

MA in Social Work Dissertations Co-ordination

2013-14

Health Promotion and Mental Health

SP613

co-ordinator for Health Promotion and Mental Health module

2015/6

Children families and Vulnerable Adults

SP606

Children families and Vulnerable Adults

2015/6

Social Work Law and Human Rights

SP607

social work law and human rights

2013-14

Social Issues and Policy Responses

SP235

Shared responsibility with MA Directors to contribute to this module

2015/6

Childhood and Children's rights

SP689

BA Level 3 Options Module Pol Sc & Soc

2015/16

Child Welfare and Protection

Child Welfare and Protection for MA in Family Support and BA in Children, Youth and Families.

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